Bridle wire



Nov. 3, 1964 c. w. ANDERSEN 3,154,993

BRIDLEWIRE Filed Feb. 25, 1965 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Clagrd [MM/246m Nov. 3, 1964 ANDERSEN 3,154,993

BRIDLE WIRE Filed Feb. 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'ii mm JZZQ.

' .15 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,154,993 EREDLE WERE Clifford W. Andersen, hicago, Kilt, assignor to The Wurlitzer (Iompauy, Chicago, llll., a corporation of Ohio Filed Feb, 25, 1963, Ser. No. 26%,392 12 Claims. (ill. 84-240) This invention relates generally to pianos and analogous musical instruments and relates more particularly to components for the assembly known as a piano action.

In piano action mechanisms, particularly those of the upright type, a flexible link known-as a bridle tape or bridle strap cooperates in connecting the hammer butt with the whip. The bridle tape serves to prevent the fly or jack from escaping from a position beneath the hammer butt upon disconnection of the sticker from its respective piano key lever. Moreover, the bridle tape helps to return the hammer from striking engagement with its associated piano string and, on certain speeds of action operation, precludes the hammer from striking undirected repetitive blows.

According to conventional practice, a post-type connector known as a bridle wire is employed in affixing one end of the bridle tape to the whip, the tape being punched with a hole to receive the bridle wire and the wire being laterally deflected beneath its upper end to hold the tape in a selected position. Although the hole in the bridle tape is ordinarily reinforced with leather or other tough material, normal use of the action mechanism causes enlargement of this hole; and a common problem with Worn bridle tapes is migration of the tape along the bridle wire away from the desired position. For example, downward migration of the bridle tape frustrates full motion of the hammer and tends to produce abnormal, muted notes.

Therefore, a general object of the present invention is to provide novel means for positively positioning a bridle tape on its cooperating bridle wire.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a new and improved bridle wire construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bridle wire that is arranged to prevent migration of its associated bridle tape from a selected position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bridle wire that accommodates normal wear of its associated bridle tape whereby to preserve a selected, relative position of the tape.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following disclosure.

A piano action structure in accord with the invention includes a whip mounted to swing about a first pivot axis, a hammer butt mounted to swing about a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis, a ble bride strap fixed at one end relative to the hammer butt and perforated with a hole adjacent the other end to receive a bridle wire, and a bridle wire secured at one end to the whip to extend toward a position adjacent the hammer butt, the bridle wire having a free end portion for passing through the hole in the bridle strap, a medially disposed strap-locating portion providing a formation enlarged in at least one radial direction whereby to prevent migration of the bridle strap along the bridle wire in a direction away from the free end portion thereof, and a deflected portion disposed intermediate the strap-locating portion and the free end portion, the deflected portion being sized to pass the bridle strap to a position adjacent the strap-locating portion and being slanted in a direction generally transverse the bridle strap whereby to prevent migration of the strap along the bridle wire in a direction toward the free end portion thereof.

In order that the principles of the invention may be readily understood, several embodiments thereof, but to which the application is not to be restricted, are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view taken in cross-section through a piano structure to show the mounting and cooperation of the various parts in an individual action mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a conventional bridle strap and bridle wire arrangement, migration of a worn bridle strap being indicated in broken outline;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to the showing of HG. 2 but illustrating another conventional bridle wire construction;

PEG. 4 is a side elevational view of the arrangement of FIG. 3

PEG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of a bridle wire constructed in compliance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view taken substantially through the section 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 5 but illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view taken substantially through the section 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of another modified em bodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a view taken substantially through the section ll-ltl of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of still another modified embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 12 is a view taken substantially through the section i2i2 of FIG. 11.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 1, a piano structure is shown to include a front panel 20, a keybed 22 and a frame 2 5. In accordance with conventional practice, a backplate 26 is afiixed to the frame 24 for supporting piano strings such as piano string 23. In further accord with conventional practice, a balance rail, not shown, is mounted on a plate 30 that is fastened to the keybed 22, the balance rail acting to support and fulcrum a number or" piano key levers such as piano key lever 32.

Depression of the piano key lever 32 is arranged to cause a striking of the corresponding piano string 28 through a piano action mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 34. The action mechanism 34 is mounted in the piano structure by means of a number of action brackets 36, each of the action brackets 36 being fastened to the backplate 26 by means including a tubular action spacer 38. A main rail 4-0, a spring rail 42 and a hammer rail 44- extend through the piano structure to be afiixed to each of the action brackets 36 for purposes of supporting the individual action components.

The action mechanism 34 includes a hammer 46 which is mounted to a butt knuckle 48 by a hammer shank Stl, the butt knuckle 48 being pivotally mounted to the main rail 4%) by a butt flange 52 and a pivot pin 54. Depression of the piano key lever 32 is arranged to actuate hammer 4-6 means of a sticker or abstract 56 that is detachably affixed at one end to the key lever 32 by means of a keyfork 58 and a rubber grommet ()0. The sticker 56 is swingably mounted at its other end to a whip 62 by means of a pivot pin 64. The whip 62 is pivotally mounted to the main rail it? by a Whip flange 66 and a pivot pin 6%. Thus, the whip 62 and the hammer butt 48 are mounted to swing about pivot axes which are spaced apart from one another. A fly or jack '75 is pivotally mounted and spaced apart from whip as by an integral fly flange 72. Depression of piano key lever 32 causes 3 actuation of the hammer as by transmitting force thereto through the fly or jack 7t) and the butt knuckle 48.

A backcheck 76 is mounted on the whip 62 in upstanding relationship by means of a backcheck wire or rod '78; and a catcher 80 is secured to the butt knuckle 43 by means of a catcher stem or shank 82 which radiates from the butt knuckle. In order to provide a flexible connection between the butt knuckle 4.8 and the whip 62, a bridle strap member 84 is attached to the catcher shank 82 at its juncture with the catcher 8b. The bridle strap member 84 includes a tape or length of woven fabric as and a reinforcing element 83, as will be seen in FIG. 2. One end of the tape 86 is wedged with the end of catcher shank 82 into an appropriate bore formed in the catcher 8d, and the reinforcing element Shis adhesively or otherwise suitably attached to the free end of the tape 86, reinforcing element 88 being fabricated from leather, synthetic leather or other tough material.

Returning to FIG. 1, the flexible connection between the whip 62 and the hammer butt ail is completed by a bridle wire member 90 that is secured at one end to the whip 62 to extend toward a position generally adjacent the hammer butt 4%. As will be described more fully hereinafter, the bridle strap member 84 is perforated with a hole adjacent its otherwise free end to receive the bridle wire member 90.

The action mechanism 34 also includes a metal spoon d2 which is afl'ixed to the Whip 62 in upstanding relationship, being disposed on the end of the whip which is opposite the connection with abstract 56. Upon actuation of the whip 62 by means of the key lever 32, the spoon 92 contacts one end of a damper lever 94, damper lever 94 being swingably mounted to the main rail 41 by means of a damper lever flange 96 and a pivot pin $8. The spoon 92 is specifically arranged to operate damper lever 94 so as to retract a damper head ltltl from contact with the piano string 28 immediately in advance of thehammer 46 striking the string.

In order to explain the deficiencies of conventional bridle Wires and in order to further comprehension of the advances made by the instant invention, one conventional form of bridle wire construction is indicated in FIG. 2 by the numeral 102, the bridle wire 102 being shown replacing the bridle wire member ?ll in the piano action mechanism of FIG. 1. Bridle wire N2 includes a straight shank portion 194 and a locating portion 1% adjacent its upper end, the portion 1% being bent in the form of a hairpin curve. The tape 86 and the reinforcing element 83 are perforated with aligned holes 108 to receive the bridle wire; and the tip of the bridle wire is passed through the holes ltlb to position the reinforced end of the bridle strap at the elbowof the laterally bent portion 1% as is shown in FIG. 2.

In use of the piano action mechanism, the bridle strap member 84 is repeatedly subjected to tension and relaxation, the parts interconnected by the bridle strap member,

ineffecntugging on the member. In time, the holes 1158 are worn oversize and may be worn to an elliptical shape; and as this wearing develops, thetendency for the'bridle strap member to slip from the locating portion 1% is in; creased. As is indicated in broken outline in FIG. 2, enlargement of the holes 1% permits migration of the bridle strap member toward the whip 62. Migration of the bridle strap member in the opposite direction may alsooccur. in either situation, the undesirable migration is freely'permitted by the uniform cross-sectional shape of the. bridle wire 1&2.

ln-aneffortto' alleviate this migration of the bridle'strap' member relative to its cooperating bridle wire, there has been conventionally provided "a igtail-type locating portion 110 as is shown in FIG. 3, the pigtail portion 11% replacing the laterally bent locating portion 1%. C ontinuin'g with reference to FIG; 3 and with secondary reference to FlG'. 4, the reinforced end of the bridle strap 34 is seen tobe vertically confined beneath a horizontal arm dially enlarged in diametric directions by a flattened 112 of the pigtail portion 11b and above a restraining member 114, the reinforced end of the bridle strap member being laterally restrained between curved elements 116 and 113.

While this pigtail arrangement of the bridle Wire effectively prevents relative migration of the bridle strap mem ber, assembly of the bridle strap member with such a bridle wire is manifestly difficult. As Will be recognized, it is necessary to thread the reinforced end of the bridle strap member beneath the horizontal arm 112, thereupon developing sufficient slack to place the hole 108 over the tip of the bridle wire member. Finally, the tip of the bridle Wire is passed through the hole 108' a-sufficient distance to seat the end of the bridle strap member-against the restraining element 114'. Becauseof this complexity of assembly and because-of the well-known lack of working space in a piano structure within the region- 0f the action mechanisms, piano action mechanic's have expressed a great deal of dissatisfaction with pigtail -type bridlewires.

in order to alleviate the migration problem and in order to avoid a complex assembly procedure, the bridlewire member of the present invention includes a freeend portion for passing through the hole in the/bridle strap" member, a medially disposed strap-locating portion and a.

deflected portion disposed intermediate the strap-locating portion and the free end portion. Withreferenceto FIGS; 5 and 6, the bridle Wire member 91? is seen specifically to include a generally straight body portion 120, a free end portion 122, a medially disposed strap-locating portion 12dand a deflected portion 126' disposed generally intermediate the strap-locating portionlZ l and the free end portion 122. The bridle wire member 90' also includes a mounted end portion 12% which is adapt'ed forpenetrating engagement with the whip e2.

The free end portion 122 is sized to pass slidably through the aligned holes 108 in the tape as and the reinforcing element 8%. Moreover, the free end portion 122 terminates in a conical tip 130 which facilitates entry or" the free end portion in the aligned holes 11% On the other hand, the strap-locating portion 124 is ar-' ranged to provide a formation that is enlargedin at least one radial direction whereby to prevent passage or migration of the. bridle strap member along the bridle'wire member in a direction away from the free end portion. More particularly, the strap-locating portion 124 is raformation 132, the material of the strap-locating'portion 124% being formed or extruded radially outwardly upon being crushed to create the flattened formation 132.

Thedefiected portion 126 which is disposed between the strap-locating. portion 124 and the free .end portion 122' is sized to pass the bridle strap member 84 to a position adjacent the strap-locating portion 124, portion 126 being of the same cross-sectional size and shape as the portion 122. The deflected portion 126 is slanted or inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the bridle Wire member 91) as determined by the body portion ing use.

. acting to mount the bridle wireimember to the whip in non-rotatable fashion. If desired, theinountedend porf 121), and it is also slanted or inclined in a direction generally transverse of the'attitude or position of the bridle strap member which is assumed by such'member upon its assembly in the piano action mechanism and dur- So arranged, the deflected portion'126'acts to prevent migration of the bridle strap member along the bridle Wire member in a direction generally toward the free end portion 122. In orderto mount the bridle wire member 9%) in a positive position on the cooperating whip,.th'e mountedend portion 128 is provided with grip-enhancing meanswhereby to achieve a non-rotatable mounting. These grip enhancing means may include fluted elements 132, as 7 shown.

Alternatively, there may be employed knurling, ridges, beads or other protuberances which are capable of tion 128 may terminate in a conical or sharpened tip 134; and furthermore, the portion 128 may be provided with a slight taper to facilitate piercing entry into the whip, the smaller diameter of the taper being disposed at the base of the conical tip 134.

Numerous materials are suitable for the bridle wire member 90. Acceptable materials include steel and coppered brass wire, tinned or nickel plated as is desired.

These materials are suggested as being exemplary only and are not intended to delimit the type of construction of the bridle wire member 90. It is also important to point out that the bridle wire member 94 is completely formed to the illustrated shape before assembly to the Whip; and as will be apparent from an inspection of FIG. 6, the bends and shaping of the bridle wire member occur in a single plane, the bridle wire member 9% thereby possessing one axis of symmetry. It will also be noted that the free end portion 122 is aligned coaxially with the body portion 120. This arrangement facilitates driving of the bridle wire member into the material of the whip. It is recognized that the axis of the free end portion 122 need not be precisely aligned with the axis of the body portion 120 for this purpose, it being sufficient for the stated purpose if these elements are substantially coaxial.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been thus far shown and described, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made. Three modified embodiments of the invention are therefore shown in FIGS. 7-12. Since like numerals have been employed to designate like parts throughout the drawings, the sutfix letter a is used to distinguish those elements associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the sufiix letter b is utilized to diflerentiate those elements associated with the arrangement of FIGS. 9 and 10, and the suflix letter c is used to identify those elements related to the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12.

The bridle wire member 90a of FIGS. 7 and 8 is distinguished by alignment of deflected portion 126a and free end portion 122a in coaxial relationship. The bridle Wire member Mia is also characterized by the provision of oppositely disposed shoulders 136 at the juncture between body portion 120a and strap-locating portion 124a. By arranging the free end portion and the deflected portion to be coaxial, assembly of the bridle strap member and the bridle wire member is greatly facilitated. Elimination of the bend between the free end portion and the deflected portion allows the bridle strap member to be coupled to the bridle wire member by means of a straight line motion once the hole in the reinforced end of the strap member has negotiated the tip of the Wire member. In such case, it is important that the tip of the free end portion be positively located in a position facing away from the bridle strap member; and this positive location is achieved by the grip-enhancing elements 132a of the mounted end portion 128a.

Because the tip 130a of free end portion 122a is situated out of alignment with the body portion 129a. of the bridle wire member, it is advantageous to form the flattened formation 132a so as to define the transverse shoulders 136 at the juncture between the body portion and the strap-locating portion. The shoulders 135 are thus available for gripping the bridle wire member upon its assembly to the whip.

The bridle wire member 5 Gb which is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is similar to the bridle wire member 9% in that it includes a free end portion I221) which is coaxially aligned with a deflected portion 12%. However, the bridle wire member 96b is distinguished by the fact that its strap-locating portion 1241: provides a doubled formation I38. Formation 138 defines a radial enlargement with respect to body portion 1201b by a lateral deflection of the material of the bridle wire member and a doubling of this laterally deflected material upon itself.

As will be seen from an inspection of FIG. 10, the straplocating portion 12412 has the same transverse dimension as the adjacent portions, body portion 12Gb and defiected portion 1261'). Accordingly, the strap-locating portion 124]) preserves the basic strength of the bridle wire member. Moreover, the strap-locating portion 124b, being of the same transverse dimension as the body portion 12% in the plane revealed in FIG. 10, eilectively precludes the bridle strap member 34b from migrating toward the mounted end portion 1281) even upon the hole in the reinforced end of the bridle strap member wearing to an oversized or oval shape.

The bridle wire member We of FIGS. 11 and 12 incorporates the advantageous doubled formation at the straplocating portion 1245', this doubled formation being combined with a substantially coaxial alignment of the free end portion 1220 and the body portion 1200. It will be noted that the axis of free end portion 122C is offset from and parallel with the axis of body portion 1200, as is shown in FIG. 11. However, the amount of displacement which is illustrated does not materially affect the handling and assembly ease of the bridle wire member We, the respective portions being substantially coaxial.

The specific examples herein shown and described are to be considered as being primarily illustrative. Various changes beyond those described will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and such changes are to be under stood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In a piano action assembly, the combination comprising: a whip mounted to swing about a first pivot axis; a hammer butt mounted to swing about a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis; a flexible bridle strap member fixed at one end relative to said hammer butt and perforated with a hole adjacent the other end to receive a bridle wire member; and a bridle wire member secured at one end to said whip to extend toward a position adjacent said hammer butt, said bridle wire member having a free end portion for passing through said hole, a medially disposed strap-locating portion providing a formation enlarged in at least one radial direction whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction away from said free end portion, and a deflected portion disposed intermediate said strap-locating portion and said free end portion, said deflected portion being slanted in a direction generally transverse said strap member whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction toward said free end portion.

2. In a piano action assembly, the combination comprising: a whip mounted to swing about a first pivot axis; a hammer butt mounted to swing about a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis; a flexible bridle strap member fixed at one end relative to said hammer butt and perforated with a hole adjacent the other end to receive a bridle wire member; and a bridle wire member secured at one end to said whip to extend toward a position adjacent said hammer butt, said bridle wire member having a free end portion for passing through said hole, a medially disposed strap-locating portion which is transversely flattened to provide a formation enlarged in at least one radial direction whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction away from said free end portion, and a deflected portion disposed intermediate said straplocating portion and said free end portion, said deflected portion being slanted in a direction generally transverse said strap member whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction toward said free end portion.

3. In a piano action assembly, the combination comprising: a whip mounted to swing about a first pivot axis; a hammer butt mounted to swing about a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis; a flexible bridle strapmember fixedv at one end relative to said hammer butt. and perforated witha hole adjacent the other end to receive a bridle wire member; and a bridle wire member secured at one endto said whip to extend toward a position adjacent said hammer butt, said bridle wire member having a free end portion for passing through said hole, a medially disposed strap-locating portion which is laterally deflected and doubled on itself to provide a formation enlarged in at least one radial direction whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along: said wire member in a direction away from said free end portion, and a deflected portion disposed intermediate said strap-locating portion and said free end portion, said deflected portionbeing slanted in a direction generally transverse said strap member whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction toward said free end portion.

4. In a piano action assembly, the combination comprising: a whip mounted to swing about a first pivot axis; a hammer butt mounted to swing about a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis; a flexible bridle strap member fixed at one end relative to said hammer butt and perforated with a hole adjacent the other end to receive a bridle wire member; and a bridle wire member secured at one end to said whip to extend toward a position adjacent said hammer butt, said bridle wire member having a free end portion for passing through said hole, a medially disposed strap-locating portion providing a formation enlarged in at least one radial direction whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction away from said free end portion, a

deflected portion disposed intermediate said strap-locating portion and said free end portion, said deflected portion being aligned coaxially with said free end portion and being slanted in a direction generally transverse said strap member whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction toward said free end portion, and a mounted end portion adapted for penetrating engagement with said whip, said mounted end portion having grip-enhancing means for non-rotatably mounting said bridle wire member to said whip whereby positively to locate the tip of said free end portion in a position facing away from said bridle strap member.

5. In a piano action assembly, the combination comprising: a whip mounted to swing about a first pivot axis; a hammer butt mounted to swing about a second pivot axis spaced from said firstpivot axis; a flexible bridle strap member fixed at one end relative to said hammer butt and perforated with'a hole adjacent the other end to receive a bridle wire member; and a bridle wire member secured at one end to said whip to extend toward a position adjacent said hammer butt, said bridle wire member having a generally straight body portion extending'from said whip, a free end portion aligned substantially coaxially'with said body portion whereby to facilitate assembly of said wire member and said whip, said free end portion being adapted to pass through said hole, a medially disposed strap-locating portion providing a formation enlarged in atleast one radial direction whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction away from said free end portion, and a deflected portion disposed intermediate said strap-locating portion and said free end portion, said deflected portion being slanted in a direction generally transverse said strap member whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction toward said free end portion.

6. In a piano action assembly, the combination comprising. a whip mounted to swing about a first pivot axis; ahamrner butt mounted to swing about a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis; a flexible bridle strap member fixed at one end relative to said hammer butt and perforated with a hole adjacent the other end to receive a bridle wire member; and a bridle wire mem-' ber secured at one end to said whip to extend toward a position adjacent said hammer butt, said bridle wire'memher having a free end portion for passing through said hole, a medially disposed strap-locating portion which is transversely flattened to provide a formation enlarged in to prevent migration of said strap memberalong saidwire member in-a direction toward said free end portion, and a mounted end portion adapted for penetrating engagement with said whip, said mounted endportion having grip-enhancing means for non-rotatably mounting saidbridle wire member to saidwhip whereby positively to locate the tip of said free end portion in a position facing away from said bridle strap member.

7. In a piano action assembly, the combination comprising: awhip mounted to swing about a first pivot axis; a hammer butt mounted to swing about a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis; a flexible bridle strap.

member fixed at one end relative to said hammer'butt and perforated with a hole adjacent-the other end to receive a bridle wire member; and a bridle wire member secured at one end to said whip to extend toward a position adjacent said hammer butt, said bridle wire member having a generally straight body portion extending from said whip, a free end portion aligned substantially coaxially with said body portion whereby to facilitate assembly of said wire member and said whip, said free end portion being adapted to pass through said hole, a medially disposed strap-locating portion which is transversely flattened to provide a formation enlarged in atleast one radial direction whereby to prevent migration of said strap memher along said wire member ina direction'away from said free end portion, and a deflected portion disposed intermediate said strap-locating portion and said free end portion, said deflected portionbeing sized to pass said strap member to a position adjacent said strap-locating portion and being slanted in a direction generally transverse said strap member whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction toward said free end portion;

8. In a pianouactionassembly,=the combination comprising: a whip mounted to swing about a first pivot axis; a hammer butt mounted to swing about a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot'axis; a flexible bridle strap member fixed at one end relative to said hammer butt and perforated with a hole adjacent'the other end to receive a bridle wire member; and a bridle Wire memberseeured at one end to said whip to extend toward a position adjacent said hammer butt, said bridle wire member having a free end portion for passing through said hole, a medially disposed strap-locating portion which is laterally deflected and doubled on itself to provide a formation enlarged in at least one radial direction whereby to. prevent migration of said strap'member along SHId WlIQ member in a direction away from said free end pont1on, a deflected portion disposed intermediate said strap-locating portion and said free end portion, said defiected portion being aligned coaxially with said free end portion and being sized to pass said strap member to a position adjacent said'stnap-locating portion, said deflected portion being slanted in a direction generally transverse said strap member whereby to preventmigration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction toward said free end portion, and a mounted end portion adapted for penetrating engagement with said whip, said mounted end portion having grip-enhancing means for non-rotatably mounting said bridle wire member to said whip whereby positively to locate the tip of said free end portion in a position facing away from said bridle strap member.

9. In a piano action assembly, the combination comprising: a whip mounted to swing about a first pivot axis; a hammer butt mounted to swing about a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis; a flexible bridle strap member fixed at one end relative to said hammer butt and perforated with a hole adjacent the other end to receive a bridle wire member; and a bridle wire member secured at one end to said whip to extend toward a position adjacent said hammer butt, said bridle wire member having a generally straight body portion extending from said whip, a free end portion aligned substantially with said body portion whereby to facilitate assernbly of said wire member and said whip, said free end portion being adapted to pass through said hole, a medially disposed strap-locating portion which is laterally deflected and doubled on itself to provide a formation enlarged in at least one radial direction whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction away from said free end portion, and a deflected portion disposed intermediate said strap-locating portion and said free end portion, said deflected portion being sized to pass said strap member to a position adjacent said strap-locating portion and being slanted in a 1% direction generally transverse said strap member whereby to prevent migration of said strap member along said wire member in a direction toward said free end portion.

10. A bridle wire member for use in a piano action assembly comprising: a generally straight body portion, a free end portion, a mounted end portion, a medially disposed strap-locating portion providing a formation enlarged in at least one radial direction, and a deflected portion disposed intermediate said strap-locating portion and said free end portion, the axis of said deflected portion being slanted with respect to the axis of said body portion, said strap-locating portion and said deflected portion acting to confine a bridle strap member therebetween.

11. A bridle wire member according to claim 10 where in the strap-locating portion is transversely flattened to provide the radially enlarged formation.

12. A bridle wire member according to claim 10 wherein the strap-locating portion includes a section of the bridle Wire member which is double on itself to provide the radially enlarged formation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 780,403 Ammon Jan. 17, 1905 2,383,301 Fanny Aug. 21, 1945 2,917,962 Ballet Dec. 22, 1959 

1. IN A PIANO ACTION ASSEMBLY, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A WHIP MOUNTED TO SWING ABOUT A FIRST PIVOT AXIS; A HAMMER BUTT MOUNTED TO SWING ABOUT A SECOND PIVOT AXIS SPACED FROM SAID FIRST PIVOT AXIS; A FLEXIBLE BRIDLE STRAP MEMBER FIXED AT ONE END RELATIVE TO SAID HAMMER BUTT AND PERFORATED WITH A HOLE ADJACENT THE OTHER END TO RECEIVE A BRIDLE WIRE MEMBER; AND A BRIDLE WIRE MEMBER SECURED AT ONE END TO SAID WHIP TO EXTEND TOWARD A POSITION ADJACENT SAID HAMMER BUTT, SAID BRIDLE WIRE MEMBER HAVING FREE END PORTION FOR PASSING THROUGH SAID HOLE, A MEDIALLY DISPOSED STRAP-LOCATION PORTION PROVIDING A FORMATION ENLARGED IN AT LEAST ONE RADIAL DIRECTION WHEREBY TO PREVENT MIGRATION OF SAID STRAP MEMBER ALONG SAID WIRE MEMBER IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID FREE END PORTION, AND A DEFLECTED PORTION DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE SAID STRAP-LOCATING PORTION AND FREE END PORTION, SAID DEFLECTED PORTION BEING SLANTED IN A DIRECTION GENERALLY TRANSVERSE SAID STRAP MEMBER WHEREBY TO PREVENT MIGRATION OF SAID STRAP MEMBER ALONG SAID WIRE MEMBER IN DIRECTION TOWARD SAID FREE END PORTION. 